Fiber optic connector

Abstract

A connector including two connector portions each including a ferrule and a latch, each latch including a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the latch is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion; and a boot mounted to the connector portions, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connector portions, wherein the boot causes the distal ends of the latch to pivot toward the ferrule of each connector portion as the boot is moved away from the connector portions. Front housings of the connector portions can each be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the ferrule without rotating the ferrule or the boot, to change the polarity of the two connector portions. The spacing between the two ferrules is adjustable. A holder holds the connector portions, the holder including side slots, the connector portions mounted to the holder by moving laterally to the side slots. The holder defines an area for receipt of a fiber optic cable when the ferrule is pushed in a direction toward the boot.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector comprising:
 (a) two connector portions each including a ferrule and a latch; and 
 (b) a boot mounted to the connector portions, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connector portions, wherein the boot causes movement of the latches as the boot is moved away from the connector portions; and 
 (c) wherein a front housing of each of the two connector portions can each be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the ferrule without rotating the ferrule or the boot, to change the polarity of the two connector portions. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein spacing between the two ferrules is adjustable. 
     
     
       3. The connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a holder for holding the two connector portions, the holder including side slots, the two connector portions being adapted to mount to the holder by moving laterally to the side slots. 
     
     
       4. The connector of  claim 3 , wherein the holder defines an area for receipt of a fiber optic cable when the ferrule is pushed in a direction toward the boot. 
     
     
       5. A connector comprising:
 (a) two LC connector portions each including:
 i) a ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a hub mounted together, and a spring, the ferrule assembly including a front sleeve and a rear sleeve, the front and rear sleeves mounted together with the ferrule end protruding and the spring located in an interior area biasing the ferrule toward an extended position; 
 ii) a front housing mounted to the ferrule assembly to form a front of each connector portion, and including a latch, each latch including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein each latch is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion, wherein each distal end includes a shoulder for mating with a latching shoulder of an adapter; 
 
 (b) a holder for holding the two LC connector portions, the holder including side slots, the two LC connector portions mounted to the holder by moving laterally to the side slots, the holder including a rearwardly projecting crimp support; and 
 (c) a boot mounted to the holder, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the holder and the two LC connector portions, wherein the boot engages the proximal ends of the latch and causes the distal ends of the latch to pivot toward the ferrule of each LC connector portion as the boot is moved away from the two LC connector portions, wherein the boot includes angled slots on both sides of the boot for receiving the proximal ends of the latches, as the two LC connector portions are rotated to change polarity without rotating the boot. 
 
     
     
       6. The connector of  claim 5 , wherein the two LC connector portions can each be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the ferrule without rotating the ferrule, to change the polarity of the two LC connector portions. 
     
     
       7. The connector of  claim 5 , wherein spacing between the two ferrules is adjustable. 
     
     
       8. The connector of  claim 5 , wherein the holder defines an area for receipt of a fiber optic cable when the ferrule is pushed in a direction toward the boot. 
     
     
       9. The connector of  claim 5 , further comprising a boot return mechanism including a return spring for biasing the boot toward the two LC connector portions. 
     
     
       10. The connector of  claim 5 , wherein the front housing including the latch is a one piece housing. 
     
     
       11. A connector comprising:
 (a) two connector portions each including:
 i) a ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a hub mounted together, and a spring, the ferrule assembly including a front sleeve and a rear sleeve, the front and rear sleeves mounted together with the ferrule end protruding and the spring located in an interior area biasing the ferrule toward an extended position; 
 ii) a front housing mounted to the ferrule assembly to form a front of each connector portion, and including a latch, each latch including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein each latch is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion, wherein each distal end includes a shoulder for mating with a latching shoulder of an adapter, wherein the front housing including the latch is a one piece housing, wherein the front housing including the latch defines an LC connector profile for receipt in an LC adapter; 
 
 (b) a holder for holding the two connector portions in a parallel arrangement; and 
 (c) a boot mounted to the holder, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the two connector portions, wherein the boot causes the distal ends of the latch to pivot toward the ferrule of each connector portion as the boot is moved away from the two connector portions, wherein the two connector portions can each be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the ferrule without rotating the boot, to change the polarity of the two connector portions. 
 
     
     
       12. A connector comprising:
 (a) two connector portions each including:
 i) a ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a hub mounted together, and a spring, the ferrule assembly including a front sleeve and a rear sleeve, the front and rear sleeves mounted together with the ferrule end protruding and the spring located in an interior area biasing the ferrule toward an extended position; 
 ii) a front housing mounted to the ferrule assembly to form a front of each connector portion, and including a latch, each latch including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein each latch is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion, wherein each distal end includes a shoulder for mating with a latching shoulder of an adapter; 
 
 (b) a holder for holding the two connector portions, the holder including side slots, the two connector portions mounted to the holder by moving laterally to the side slots, the holder including a rearwardly projecting crimp support; and 
 (c) a boot mounted to the holder, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the holder and the two connector portions, wherein the boot engages the proximal ends of the latch and causes the distal ends of the latch to pivot toward the ferrule of each connector portion as the boot is moved away from the two connector portions, wherein the boot includes angled slots on both sides of the boot for receiving the proximal ends of the latches, as the two connector portions are rotated to change polarity without rotating the boot, wherein the boot prevents unlatching when the boot is in the latched position, and wherein the boot includes ramped slots for unlatching the latches when the boot is pulled axially away from the two connector portions. 
 
     
     
       13. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the two connector portions each define an LC connector profile for receipt in an LC adapter.